E30 5.0 Conversion details (updated Feb 2, 2010)

This page is designed to give you an overview of the 5.0 swap and what
is required. It is also designed to help you plan your swap
and
start collecting the required parts. This page does not get
updated often. Read our BLOG here to get the
latest information and customer builds.

Brake Booster

The brake
booster is in the way. You'll need to go to manual brakes or
a
remote booster setup ($$). Many folks go manual brakes when
swapping in Euro S50 motors. You need to move the mounting
point
to the brake pedal up 1" for increased leverage. A smaller
booster will not work. The engine needs to be all the way
back
near the firewall, the engine bay is too short.

Oil pan

A front sump pan is required, and you will have to cut and weld it to
miss the steering rack.

Cutting the Ford 302 5.0 oilpan to fit the BMW E30 325 or 318

Firewall

Some hammering on the firewall will be required. The heater core pipes have to be cut off or re-routed behind the
firewall. There is no room for them to protrude because the
5.0 engine is in the way.

Engine mounts

We have the E30 5.0 steel engine mounts finally ready for sale here. They use E30 325
rubber/poly motor mounts under them.

Transmission crossmember

The transmission mount can be made with a piece of angle iron with 4
holes drilled.

Headers/steering shaft

The steering shaft/header issue should be very similar to the E36 5.0 swap.
The pictures below show the headers dumping towards the front on an E36
5.0 swap.

Shifter

The shifter comes up very close to the original hole.

The Ford 5.0 T5 shifter comes up nice in the BMW E30 (318 or 325)

Completed swaps

Several people are currently building 5.0 powered E30's. Read our Blog for the latest links and photos.

The Infamous turbo 5.0 E30

Here are some pictures of a 5.0 swapped turbo E30. Little is
known about this car except for the pictures (these aren't our
pictures, we're just posting them for reference). They are
provided for information & motivation. It's probably pushing 400-500 horsepower.